USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 3
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In 1875. when the Jay Cooke failure had some- what crippled the Ann Arbor Savings Bank, so that some of its directors thought it the part of prudence to sell their stock and leave the institut- tion to its fate. Mr. Mack took his place as the preserver of the bank. restored the capital which it needed and added a surplus of thrice that amount. He found the stock selling below par and left it selling for four hundred per cent. above par. The achievement was a notable one. showing the pride which he felt in the bank, and. moreover, disclosing the honesty which was one of the strongest characteristics of the man.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
On the 13th of March, 1859. Mr. Mack mar- ried Miss Marie Schmid, a daughter of the Rev. Frederick Schmid, one of the pioneer ministers of the Lutheran church of this part of the state, and the founder and upbuilder of Bethlehem church. He was a citizen, who to his last hour was loved and honored by the community in which he resided. Four children came to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mack: Edwin F., Walter C., Mrs. Willis J. Abbott and Mrs. Harry W. Hawley.
Had Mr. Mack done nothing else in life save in the line of business pursuits, he would then be entitled to honorable and prominent mention in the history of his county, but he contributed to its improvement in many other ways. He aided in the organization of Zion Lutheran church, and served continuously as a deacon from the be- ginning until the close of his life. It would be difficult to analyze fully the character of Chris- tian Mack, for there were depths of his nature that none but his own family or his nearest and dearest friends ever sounded. All knew him to be a successful merchant and banker, and a man of irreproachable conduct in business life. Many knew. too, of his financial assistance in hours of need, his ready sympathy in times of distress ; and yet, he was always unostentatious in his acts of charity and deeds of mercy. He had a receptive mind and a retentive memory, which was en- riched throughout the years by broad and com- prehensive reading ; and he was a constant stu- dent of the classics, many of which he read in the German text. In the evening of life, when he had more leisure than was vouchsafed to him in his earlier business career, it was a matter of deepest regret that his failing eyesight prevented him from spending the time with his books, that he desired : and he had no greater pleasure than lis- tening while others read to him from master minds of the ages. Moreover, he was a student of the great social, economic and political ques- tions of the day in all of their bearing upon hu- man existence and the trend of the world's his- tory. In matters of political moment his inter- ests were with the majority of the people. For over a quarter of a century he was a member of the school board of Ann Arbor, and one of the
public schools was named in his honor. He died August 14, 1902 ; but the influence of his life will live for many years to come, finding its fruition in the further improvement and growth of Ann Arbor because of the seeds which he planted. His memory, too, is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him. He was honored by his business as- sociates and his fellowmen, respected by those who came within the closer circle of his acquaint- ance and loved by friends and family as few men are loved.
JAMES BURRILL ANGELL.
James Burrill Angell, educator and statesman, who, because of his service as president of the University of Michigan for more than a third of a century and his incumbency in many govern- ment positions of importance, has won national fame, was born in Scituate, Rhode Island. Jan- uary 7, 1829. His preliminary education was sup- plemented by study in Brown University, matric- ulating in the freshman class in September, 1845. He was graduated in 1849 with highest honors. An aptitude for the various studies constituting the curriculum characterized his college course. He was prominent as a classical scholar and dis- played equal facility in mastering the sciences. His enthusiasm for literary studies and his com- prehensive, accurate and philosophical and his- torical spirit, which have since been strongly de- veloped, were then awakened. It would perhaps have been difficult to predict at the close of his college course in which department of learning he would be most successful if he chose to concen- trate his energies upon a single line. During his collegiate course under the influence of President Wayland's thorough and simple Christian faith Dr. Angell also announced his allegiance to the cause of Christianity, attaching himself after a long and thoughtful examination of denomina- tional peculiarities and claims to the Congrega- tional church.
During the last year of his university course he became imbued with the desire of entering the Christian ministry-a purpose slowly formed and
JAMES B. ANGELL.
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afterward reluctantly abandoned under the pres- sure of opposing eireumstances.
For a year following his graduation Dr. Angell was engaged in teaching and at the same time his leisure hours were devoted to such private studies as awakened his keenest interest. In 185€ he went abroad, spending the succeeding two years in study and travel in Europe and from his foreign residence he was recalled to accept the chair of modern languages and literature in Brown University. This position he filled to the satisfaction of all connected with the college until 1860, when he resigned his professorship to enter the field of journalism, becoming editor for Sen- ator Henry B. Anthony of his newspaper "The Journal." Dr. Angell remained in charge of that publieation for six years and then resigned to accept the presidency of the University of Ver- mont, with which he was connected until 1871. when he came to the University of Michigan. In 1868 his alma mater had conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws.
His work in behalf of the University of Michi- gan is a matter of history. His success is indi- eated by its material growth and his national fame as an educator is the legitimate result of ability that would qualify him to fill any position in con- neetion with the great institutions of learning in America. When he assumed charge in 1871 there had been an enrollment for the year of eleven hundred and ten students and for the year 1905 and 1906 there was an enrollment of over four thousand. The University of Michigan was the first institution to take rank with the old estab- lished universities on the Atlantic coast and its position is attributable in large measure to the efforts of Dr. Angell. He is an enthusiast, yet is a man of action rather than theory and the rec- ords of the university are practically a detailed account of his life labors since 1871. More than seventeen thousand students have been awarded diplomas from his hand and more than ten thon- sand additional pupils have studied under his direction in Ann Arbor.
Dr. Angell has also won national fame in con- nection with his service in various government positions. As minister to China. member of the Fisheries Commission, chairman of the Deep
Waterways Commission and minister to Turkey. he has honored his government with his services and in this field has made for himself a name of more than national prominence.
ERICH R. THEWS.
Erich R. Thews, who since 1901 has been a partner in the firm of Wines & Thews, doing a contraeting business and also carrying on a whole- sale and retail trade in painters', glaziers' and paper hangers' supplies, was born in Ann Arbor January 6, 1871. His father, Daniel Thews, was for many years engineer with the Krouse Fanning Company, and died in 1886. His mother, Mrs. Rosa Thews, is now living with her son. Louis, who is a painter in California. In the family were two sons who died in childhood.
Erich R. Thews was educated in English and German at the second ward public school in Ann Arbor, and when fourteen years of age went to work in a furniture factory, where he remained for three or four years. In 1892 he began learn- ing the painter's trade under the direction of Oscar Sorg, subsequent to which time he spent several seasons as a paper hanger in the employ of William Herz. Later he was employed sue- eessively by George Wahr and John Teiner. and in 1901 he began business for himself as a paper hanger, tinter and glazier. In the fall of that year he admitted Eugene A. Wines to a part- nership, thus forming the present firm of Wines & Thews, located at No. 537 West Third street. This firm is well known throughout the county and in addition to their contracting business they have an extensive trade both as wholesale and re- tail dealers in painters', glaziers' and paper hang- ers' supplies, keeping a large stock on hand. Their business methods commend them to the confidence of all and a liberal patronage is ac- corded them.
In 1807 Mr. Thews was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Klut. of Ann Arbor, and unto them has been born a daughter. Eleanor, now about a year and a half old. Mr. Thews is a prominent member of the Maccabees tent and in
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politics is independent. He resides at No. 537 West Third street, Ann Arbor, and is one of the native sons of the city, who through his force of character and utilization of opportunity has worked his way steadily upward until today he has a business that is bringing him very profitable returns and which also indicates his progressive and determined spirit.
E. H. COOK.
Many of the native sons of Washtenaw county have continued their residence within its borders, finding here good advantages and business op- portunities, while in the exercise of their native powers they have gained ereditable and gratifying success. To this class belongs Mr. Cook, who now follows farming on seetion 33, Pittsfield township. He was born in Lodi township on the 16th of August, 1869, and is of German line- age. His paternal grandfather. John Cook, was born in Germany, and at an early date came to this state, entering land in Washtenaw county and assisting the pioneers in their efforts to re- claim this region for the purposes of civilization. His son, Jacob Cook, father of our subject, was born on the old family homestead in Lodi town- ship, and at the age of twenty-five years was married to Miss Catherine Zahn, who was also born in Lodi township, while her father, John Zahn, was a native of Germany. As the years passed Jacob Cook engaged quite extensively in farming and stock raising in York township. where he owned and operated two hundred acres of land. In addition to the tilling of the soil and the production of crops best adapted to the climate he raised stock on a large scale and found this is a profitable source of income. He belonged to the German Lutheran church and he gave his political allegiance to the republican party. In his family were two daughters: Mary, the wife of Theodore Feldkamp, by whom he has three children, their family home being in York town- ship; and Eliza, the wife of Fred Rash, of Ann Arbor, by whom she has three children.
E. H. Cook, the only son and the second child, was reared to farm life under the parental roof.
giving his father the benefit of his services until eighteen years of age. He acquired his education in the common schools and afterward worked at farm labor until twenty-two years of age, when he was married to Miss Olive Wheelock, who was born April 23, 1868, and is a daughter of Emmons Wheelock, a native of New York. Her grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers of Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have become the parents of three children : Hazel, born July 25, 1895 : Mildred, born April 14, 1900 ; and Clarence, born September 27, 1904.
The home farm is a tract of eighty acres of rich and valvable land devoted to the production of various cereals and also to stock raising. Mr. Cook has recently erected a fine large residence and new outbuildings and in fact has one of the best improved farm properties in his locality. Everything about the place indicates his careful supervision, and he is well known as a practical and progressive farmer, who is winning well- merited profit in his labors. In his political views he is an earnest republican, but he has no desire for office. Socially he is a member of Saline lodge, No. 133. A. F. & A. M., and he likewise belongs to Maccabees tent, No. 46, of Saline, in which he has held some offices. He is one of the prominent native sons of the county, his record having ever been in harmony with the history of the family in their identification with the best in- terests of the county and its substantial growth and improvement.
JOHN LAWSON.
John Lawson, popular and prominent in Wash- tenaw county, where he is now filling the office of register of deeds, was born in Ypsilanti, Michi- gan, February 14, 1863. His father, Robert Law- son, was a native of Ireland, and when a young man came to America, hoping that he might enjoy better business opportunities in the new world. During the early years of his residence here he worked as a laborer and later he followed farming until his activity and energy had brought him capital sufficient to permit of his purchase of land.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
He married Miss Catherine Frazer, a native of Scotland, and soon after the birth of their son John, Mr. Lawson removed with his family to Wayne county, Michigan, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for ten years. He then returned to Washtenaw county and was again identified with farming interests here.
John Lawson acquired his education largely in and near Ypsilanti, attending the district and city schools as he found opportunity. He worked with his father on the farm through the period of his youth and after attaining his majority fol- lowed the same pursuit. Later, however, he en- gaged in the charcoal business and subsequently became proprietor of a general store and a saw and lumber mill in this county, carrying on those pursuits for about twelve years, during which time he met with a fair measure of success. In 1904 he was elected to the office of register of deeds and removed to Ann Arbor. He has al- ways been a stanch republican in his political views. recognized as an earnest and helpful worker in the ranks of the party and he is now justifying the trust reposed in him by his con- stituents through his prompt and faithful dis- charge of the duties that devolve upon him.
Mr. Lawson was first married to Miss Minerva Colf, a cousin of his present wife, and there was one child by that union, Olive. Mr. Lawson was married in 1893 to Miss Mary Colf, who was born in Exeter, Monroe county, Michigan. They now have four children, John Dale, George N., Milton R. and Walter C. All of the children were born in Washtenaw county. Mr. Lawson is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a young man well liked because of his genial manner and genuine personal worth and the county finds in him a capable office holder.
EMORY E. LELAND.
Emory E. Leland, judge of the probate court of Washtenaw county, was born in Northfield township, Michigan, in 1845. His paternal grand- father. Joshua Leland, was a native of New York. in which state he followed farming. His son,
Joshua G. Leland. Jr., likewise a native of the Empire state, came to Michigan, in 1829. set- tling first in Northfield township, where he car- ried on general agricultural pursuits. Subse- quently he purchased land in Ann Arbor town- ship, Washtenaw county, and was engaged in the further development and improvement of that farm up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was seventy-one years of age. His last days were passed in Ann Arbor, and he was known as a man whose business integrity was un- assailable. while his capacity for the successful conduct of enterprises was widely acknowledged. He held various township offices of trust and he became one of the organizers of the Washtenaw Mutual Fire Insurance Company, to the presi- dency of which he was chosen on its formation and in which position he continued for several years. His political allegiance was unfalteringly given to the republican party. He married Miss Nancy Bly, who was born in Madison county. New York, and died in Ann Arbor at the age of seventy-one years. In their family were five children, of whom Judge Leland was the young- est. One son, Joshua B. Leland, now deceased. was a soldier of the Civil war, acting as lieutenant of Company A, Twentieth Michigan Infantry. The sisters are Mrs. Juliet Townsend, Mrs. C. H. Warden and Mrs. S. J. Lowry.
Judge Leland. spending his youth in North- field township, was educated in the public schools there and became his father's assistant in farming operation. He has always been interested to a greater or less extent in agricultural pursuits and is now the owner of the land in Northfield town- ship which his father purchased upon his removal from New York state to Michigan. On leaving the home farm Judge Leland became a salesman for the Deering Harvester Company, which he represented in the sale of agricultural implements for seven years, at the end of which time he was elected in 1904 as probate judge of Washtenaw county upon the republican ticket. This was not the first public office of trust and responsibility given him, for during several years he had been supervisor of his township. He has also been a director of the Washtenaw Mutual Fire In- surance Company for the past fifteen years and
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
for several years has been its president, acting at this writing as its chief executive officer. He is called the farmer judge because of his long con- nection with agricultural interests here, and this calls to mind that Washington said more than a century ago that farming is the most useful and honorable occupation to which man can de- vote his energies. The integrity and trustworthi- ness of Judge Leland in all matters of business connection and public trust are above question and in the discharge of his duties of his present position he is fully justifying the confidence re- posed in him.
In 1868, Judge Leland was married in Ann Arbor. to Miss Sarah C. Sawyer, a native of Vermont, who died in 1894. at the age of fifty years, leaving six children, all born in Northfield township. Joshua G., superintendent of schools at Mount Vernon, Ohio, is married and has one son, Robert C. Thad E., who is engaged in the real-estate business in Detroit, Michigan, married Agnes Pfiffe, and has three children, Catherine. Dorothy and Maria. Edward R., living on the old homestead in Northfield township. wedded Margaret Dunn, and has one daughter. Madeline. Gertrude L. is the wife of George Luke, and has a daughter, Helen. Anna M. is a teacher in the public schools of Detroit. Ira is a draughtsman of that city. In 1806 Judge Leland wedded Mrs. Ada L. Rudd, nee Sawyer, a sister of his first wife. Having spent his entire life in Washtenaw county he has a wide acquaintance and his his- tory is familiar to a majority of our readers who recognize in him the possessor of those sterling traits of character which command uniform re- spect and admiration.
AUGUSTUS BEYER.
Augustus Beyer, president of the Ypsilanti Savings Bank, was born in Ohio in 1828. His father. John Beyer, was a native of Pennsylvania and died at the venerable age of eighty years, while the mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Spangler and was also a native of the Buckeye state, passed away in early womanhood. They had five children, Augustus being the only
one now living. The father was a merchant, fol- lowing commercial pursuits in Ohio throughout his entire life.
Augustus Beyer acquired his early education in the common schools and afterward attended Ken- yon College. Subsequently he took up the study of law in New Philadelphia, Ohio, in the office and under the direction of J. C. Hance and sub- sequently, in 1850, he came to Michigan, settling in Ypsilanti. Here he conducted the Huron Flouring Mills in connection with Alexander Ross. They had both the Huron and Ypsilanti mills and after a short time Mr. Beyer sold his interest and returned to his native state. Subse- quently he went to Iowa, where he remained for two years, being engaged in the land business there. On the expiration of that period he re- turned to Ohio and again devoted his energies to milling from 1864 until 1880. He was very suc- cessful in that enterprise and after selling out in the latter year he became connected with the iron industry, which also proved to him a gratifying source of profit until 1890, when he disposed of his plant to the United States steel trust. In 1898 he came to Ypsilanti and has been connected with different enterprises of this city. He has been a representative of electrical business here and has also been connected with agricultural interests. On his arrival in Washtenaw county he purchased two farms in Ypsilanti township, which he still owns, and he likewise has an elegant residence on North Huron street, which he occupies. For some time he was an active factor in the ownership and conduct of the Electric Light and Power Com- pany but has withdrawn from that industry. He is now the president of the Ypsilanti Savings Bank, which position he has occupied for several years, and it has become a strong financial insti- tution, conducting a good business.
In 1877. in Ohio, Mr. Beyer was married to Miss Sarah Espich, of that state. They have no children of their own, but have legally adopted a son, Augustus Quay.
In business matters Mr. Beyer is conservative. every step being carefully and thoughtfully made. and yet he has manifested that persistency of pur- pose which ultimately reaches the objective point. His years of business activity have been crowned
A Beyem
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
with success and his labor has found its just re- ward in well merited prosperity. In matters of citizenship he is public spirited with a deep inter- est in the general welfare that has caused him to give active co-operation to many movements for the good of the community. Personally he is highly esteemed and in the years of his residence in Ypsilanti has made many warm friends.
FREDERICK M. FREEMAN.
Frederick M. Freeman, a member of the Wash- tenaw county bar, practicing in Manchester and Ann Arbor. and now filling for the second term the position of president of the village, was born on the 6th of August. 1870. His father. William Freeman, was a native of Connecticut, and was descended from New England ancestry that was planted on American soil at an early period in the colonization of the new world. In 1836 he left the east and came to Michigan, settling a mile southwest of Manchester. He was then a young lad of about six or seven years, and made the trip with his parents into what was then a new and undeveloped district. His father. Thomas Freeman, entered one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 16. Manchester township. now owned by S. L. Palmer, and there carried on agricultural pursuits for a number of years. In his family were thirteen children, of whom William Freeman was the eighth in order of birth. All are now deceased. Reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life. William Freeman aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm, and shared with the family in the hard- ships and trials incident to the establishment of a home on the frontier. He married Miss Jane Victoria Force, who was born in Manchester, and was a daughter of Ephraim E. and Jane Force. natives of New York, who came to Michigan about 1830. Mr. Force, for many years prior to the advent of the railroad. engaged in teaming. hauling flour from Manchester to Chelsea and Monroe. Both he and his wife were of New England ancestry, and in their family were four children, all of whom have passed away. Mr.
and Mrs. William Freeman became the parents of five children : Louis T., who is a grocer and druggist of Chelsea: Frederick M. : Arthur C .. who is proprietor of the Freeman House : Ralph, a grocer of Chelsea : and Chauncey, who is en- gaged in the grocery business there as a member of the firm of Freeman Brothers. The father died in 1887. at the age of sixty years, while the mother passed away in 1881. at the age of thirty- nine years.
Frederick M. Freeman spent the first nineteen years of his life upon his father's and other farms, sometimes working as a hired farm laborer, and attended the district and graded schools of Man- chester. He was graduated from the Manchester Union schools in 1889. being president and orator of his class. In the meantime he had devoted three or four years to farm labor. and at a later date he took up the study of law with his couisn, A. F. Freeman, who directed his preliminary reading until his admission to the bar on the 8th of June, 1894. In the following year he entere 1 into the partnership with his former preceptor under the firm style of A. F. & F. M. Freeman, and they have enjoyed an extensive practice which connects them with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of this district. Mr. Freeman, of this review, was admitted to the practice in the United States courts in January. 1005. and is a member of the Michigan State Bar Association. The co-partnership still continues, and the firm have offices at Ann Arbor, where Mr. Freeman is much of the time in attendance at court.
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